Attorneys for Injured & Neglected Patients at Freeburg Terrace

The use of behavior-modifying medications is strictly regulated in long-term care facilities, nursing homes and assisted living centers. When the medications are prescribed, the facility must receive approval for any increase in dosage prior to administering the change in medication dosages. Unfortunately, not all long-term care homes follow state law in obtaining proper authorization, which is often detrimental to the resident’s quality of life. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC represent individuals who have received unnecessary or unauthorized medications while residing at Illinois long-term care (LTC) facilities like Freeburg Terrace.

Freeburg Terrace

This LTC Facility is a ‘for profit’ Home providing services to residents of Freeburg and St. Clair County, Illinois. The 16-certified-bed Long Term Care Center is located at:

#4 Hill Mine RoadFreeburg, Illinois 62243(618) 539-4882

Freeburg Long Term Care Home Resident Safety Concerns

To ensure families are fully informed of the level of care every nursing home provides, the state of Illinois regularly updates their long-term care home database system. This data reflects a comprehensive list of opened investigations, safety concerns, filed complaints, incident inquiries, health violations, and dangerous hazards that can be found on numerous sites including Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH – ltc.dph.illinois.gov).

The St. Clair County neglect attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC have viewed deficiencies and safety concerns at this long-term care facility that include:

Failure to Administer Medications as Per the Physician’s Orders and Pharmaceutical Manufacturer’s Instructions

In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 09/23/2015, the state investigator noted during the first certification follow-up to a 07/09/2015 survey that the facility failed to “ensure that all staff was instructed I’m giving medications as administered and directed by the pharmaceutical manufacturer. This deficient practice affected one resident at the facility.”

The state investigator reviewed a resident’s 08/25/2015 MAR (Medication Administration Record) revealing the individual “functions in the Moderate Level of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities.” During a record review on 09/22/2015, “two medications were ordered for the 9:00 PM [medication pass including] Ziprasidone [an antipsychotic to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder] and Zolpidem [a sedative to treat insomnia] to be given on an empty stomach.”

The resident’s MAR (Medication Administration Record) shows of these drugs are to be given at 9:00 PM. However, during an interview occurring at 11:05 AM on 09/21/2015, a Direct Service Person (DSP) "was shown the blister pack of medication [containing] Ziprasidone and pointing to the label to give with food, the Direct Service Person confirm they “gave this medication with food.” The investigator asked the DSP to confirm “that the label for Zolpidem was to be given on an empty stomach. It was also confirmed that both medications were ordered to be given at an hour of sleep (HS)."

A Registered Nurse at the facility was interviewed that same day at 1:40 PM “to clarify if a snack at 9:00 PM for [the resident] was given." The nurse replied “that as a nurse, [they weren’t] aware that Ziprasidone was to be given with food." The investigator conducted an interview with the resident’s physician who confirmed that “Ziprasidone was to be given with food.”

A review of the medication blister dated 08/27/2015 Box Warning [says to take] Ziprasidone with food” and the “review of medication blister pack on dated 09/03/2015 Box Warning [says to take] Zolpidem without food.”

Failure to Ensure a Resident’s Drug Regimen Is Free from Unnecessary Medications

In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 07/09/2015, the state investigator noted the facility’s failure “to ensure that the Specially Constituted Committee reviewed and gave approval for an increase of a behavior modifying medication for [a resident] on drugs to control behavior.” The resident’s behavior modifying medications had increased to 1000 milligrams daily of from 750 milligrams without approval.

The deficient practice was first noted in the state investigator’s findings after reviewing the facility’s 04/21/2015 Behavior Management/Resident Rights Committee that identifies the resident “as a 53-year-old individual who functions at the Mile Level of Intellectual Disability with additional diagnoses of Organic Personality Disorder and Adjustment Disorder.” In addition, the documentation reveals of the resident “has behaviors of verbal aggression and self-injurious behavior.”

“The Committee gave approval for the use of Depakote ER (extended-release) 750 milligrams daily for the diagnosis of Organic Personality Disorder.” The investigator interviewed the facility’s Quality Intellectual Disabilities Professional (QIDP) in the early afternoon of 07/08/2015 and the early morning of 07/09/2015 who confirmed that the resident “is presently taking Depakote E 1000 milligrams daily for behaviors [...and] confirmed that the Specially Constituted Committee had not given approval for the increase in [the resident’s] Depakote he from 750 mg. To 1000 mg.”

We urge you to contact our St. Clair County neglect and abuse law office at (888) 424-5757 to schedule your appointment today. Speak with one of our experienced lawyers for legal answers during a comprehensive, no-obligation case evaluation. No upfront fees are necessary because we accept every nursing home abuse compensation claims through contingency fee arrangements.

Disclaimer: The above inspection findings are take from public sources including the State Department of Health and from Medicare inspection conducted at the facility at least every fifteen months. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC cannot confirm that the content on this site is the most recent information related to the facilities mentions.

The deficiencies/citations listed on this page may have been corrected or substantially corrected after the date of the inspection and date of publishing this material. This page is a legal advertisement and a resource of information for visitors. This material is not endorsed by the facility noted or by any governmental agency. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC does not have any affiliation with the facility.

“Too many lawyers try pass you off to another person in their office to answer questions. Not Jonathan. I have already referred some family members to Jonathan for their injury cases. I consider Jonathan both my lawyer and my friend.”- Annie

Get Your Free Illinois Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Book Now

Learn the in's and out's of your case from an experienced attorney who wrote the book on Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect

Jonathan Rosenfeld was professionally objective, timely, and knowledgeable. Also, his advice was extremely effective regarding my case. In addition, Jonathan was understanding and patient pertaining to any of my questions or concerns. I was very happy with the end result and I highly recommend Jonathan Rosenfeld. Michonne Proulx

★★★★★

Extremely impressed with this law firm. They took control of a bad motorcycle crash that left my uncle seriously injured. Without any guarantee of a financial recovery, they went out and hired accident investigators and engineers to help prove how the accident happened. I am grateful that they worked on a contingency fee basis as there was no way we could have paid for these services on our own. Ethan Armstrong

★★★★★

This lawyer really helped me get compensation for my motorcycle accident case. I know there is no way that I could have gotten anywhere near the amount that Mr. Rosenfeld was able to get to settle my case. Thank you. Daniel Kaim

★★★★★

Jonathan helped my family heal and get compensation after our child was suffered a life threatening injury at daycare. He was sympathetic and in constant contact with us letting us know all he knew every step of the way. We were so blessed to find Jonathan! Giulia

★★★★★

Jonathan did a great job helping my family navigate through a lengthy lawsuit involving my grandmother's death in a nursing home. Through every step of the case, Jonathan kept my family informed of the progression of the case. Although our case eventually settled at a mediation, I really was impressed at how well prepared Jonathan was to take the case to trial. Lisa

We serve the following localities: Cook County including Arlington Heights, Chicago, and Cicero; DuPage County including Wheaton; Kane County including Aurora and Elgin; Lake County including Waukegan; Macon County including Decatur; Peoria County including Peoria; Sangamon County including Springfield; Will County including Bolingbrook, Joliet, and Naperville; and Winnebago County including Loves Park, Machesney Park, Rockford, and Roscoe.